News

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva led a new law that strengthens environmental justice protections by ensuring state regulators consider the potential impacts on communities that have historically faced disproportionate environmental burdens when reviewing pollution control permits.

“The Illinois Constitution makes it clear that all residents have the right to a healthful environment, meaning no communities in the state should be forced to bear the disproportionate and adverse weight that comes with air pollution,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Unfortunately, we know low-income, minority and immigrant communities are historically the ones who carry this burden and live with the effects of pollution exposure. This law recognizes that enough is enough and that our communities and families deserve better.”

Villanueva’s law requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate environmental justice factors when reviewing certain air pollution construction permit applications. It also requires the IEPA to evaluate whether a proposed facility is located in an area of environmental justice concern and determine whether additional safeguards may be needed.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a new law that will implement stricter, mandatory reporting requirements when a patient or client experiences sexual abuse or misconduct perpetrated by a licensed health care professional.

“Being assaulted or exploited doesn’t only cause physical harm, but it also leads to severe, long-lasting emotional turmoil and often times completely eradicates that patient’s trust in our health care system,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Health care professionals across this country take an oath to do no harm, so when a doctor, nurse, practitioner, clinician or any other professional takes advantage of their patient, they must be swiftly brought to justice.”

Villanueva’s law comes in response to a series of investigative reports that uncovered serious misconduct and abuse in Illinois’ health care system. The investigation identified 52 health care workers accused of sexual misconduct who were allowed to continue working at their respective hospitals and facilities. The new law will mandate hospitals and health care professionals licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to report any sexual or sexual-adjacent misconduct by a health care professional against a patient. Reasonably reportable misconduct will include sexual assault and harassment, as well as behavior such as offering to provide professional services to a patient or client in exchange for sexual favors or using the professional-patient or professional-client relationship to solicit a romantic or sexual relationship.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva led a new law that will ensure survivors of domestic violence are fully protected and current state law supporting victims is properly enforced.

“I have spent several years now working to address the lethality of domestic violence altercations that involve a firearm, and I am proud to see the state will be further prioritizing the well-being of domestic violence survivors, especially women and children, through expanded safeguards,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “There is still much work to do, but getting this law over the finish line will certify our state’s justice system works in the favor of survivors, ensuring perpetrators of abuse and violence don’t have the means to cause further harm.” 

Senate Bill 3329 will solidify protections for victims of domestic violence under Karina’s Law. Signed into law in February 2025, Karina’s Law addresses the growing concern surrounding firearms and domestic violence by clarifying and strengthening the law around orders of protection, requiring law enforcement to remove firearms from individuals subject to emergency restraining orders within 96 hours of a judge issuing an order revoking the individual’s FOID card.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva led a new law to close gaps in Illinois’ child welfare laws and strengthen non-discrimination protections for youth in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“Regardless of where Illinois youth are placed, they deserve to feel respected and that their identities are being protected and affirmed by those assigned to care for them,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By implementing stronger protections for youth in DCFS’ care, we’re ensuring every case is met with a trauma-informed, comprehensive approach that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of our state’s youth.”

House Bill 4966, also known as the SECURE Act, enshrines enforceable standards of conduct for DCFS staff and caregivers of youth in care and ensures children, especially LGBTQ+ youth, receive the same services if placed out of state as they would in Illinois. Under the SECURE Act, the department is required to protect youth in care from unnecessary and unapproved disclosure of their sensitive identity information, including personal data that is linked or reasonably linkable to a youth and identifies the youth’s sexual orientation. It also creates a process for DCFS to abide by if it discloses sensitive identity information and requires the department to provide notice to the youth.